In a past era, Bowral served as a rural retreat for the elitegentry of Sydney, resulting in the establishment of many historic estates and manor houses in the district. Today, Bowral is universally associated with the cricketer Sir Donald Bradman, who is commemorated by the Bradman Museum and other monuments at the Bradman Oval. It also hosts the annual Tulip-Time Festival held in the town in September.

Bowral is the national birthplace of fictional nanny Mary Poppins, as author P. L. Travers spent her childhood in the town and began her life as a storyteller there.[4]

It is within close driving distance to the other main Highland towns, being 5 kilometres (3 mi) from Mittagong, 9 kilometres (6 mi) from both Moss Vale and Berrima and within a reasonable distance of 27 kilometres (17 mi) from Bundanoon and 26 kilometres (16 mi) to Robertson.

The town of Bowral can include the suburb of East Bowral and the village of Burradoo which are located adjacent to the town.

According to the 2006 census, Bowral had a population of 11,493 people.[1] The town is growing rapidly,[7] owing partly to the completion of the M5 freeway from Sydney with links to Canberra.

In recent years, Bowral has become a haven for retirees and empty nesters, commonly from Sydney: 14.2% of Bowral's population is aged 55–64 years (compared with the national average of 11.0%) and 26.5% is aged over 64 years (compared with the national average of 13.3%) (2006 Census).[8] Bowral is a town that caters well for the elderly, having many retirement villages,[9] some located only minutes' walk from its central business district and hospitals.

Bowral is perhaps the best known of the towns and villages of the Southern Highlands, and in recent years has become the commercial centre of the Wingecarribee Shire. Bowral is known for its boutiques, antique stores, gourmet restaurants, and rich coffee culture. It has other attractions such as Joshua rowland

Bowral is also the setting for "Tulip Time", a Spring celebration where over 100,000 tulips and 25,000 flowers are planted in the town centre. Held every September and October, Tulip Time has become one of Australia's leading floral festivals. In Spring, the town is also very popular with gardening enthusiasts who come to view some of the world's most beautiful formal gardens designed by landscape luminaries such as Paul Sorensen, who designed the gardens of Invergowrie.

Bowral lies at the heart of the Southern Highlands BOOKtrail, Australia's first booktown project.

The population swells during winter because of the heat, when thousands of visitors book into the local hotels and B&Bs to enjoy winter getaways. Bowral is home to a number of manor houses and hotels dating back to the 19th century which have served as retreats for the elite gentry of Sydney.

Bowral is overshadowed by Mount Gibraltar, which rises to 863 metres (2,831 ft) above sea level and has lookouts over Bowral and neighbouring villages and towns such as Mittagong, Moss Vale and the ranges near Bundanoon. Near some of the lookouts are picnic and barbecue areas. The mountain also serves as residential area and bushland reserve.